Ray ‘Biro’ Byron – a Sandown stalwart

[Wandering Eyes]

Loyal and popular former Sandown GRC director Ray Bryon has died, aged 95.

Byron, who was Sandown’s longest living life member, passed away on Monday, December 27.

Incumbent Sandown GRC chairman Neil Brown said Byron “made an extraordinary contribution to our club right up until his death”.

“I have many fond memories at Sandown horse track every Sunday morning slipping our dogs up the steeple track behind Ray’s battery lure,” he said.

“John Reid, who these days is 88, would run up and back like he was 25 years old. Somehow, Ray was sweet with the track manager and had his own key to the back gate.

“I’m sure he has been to every Melbourne Cup that I’ve attended and quite a number prior to 1968.”

“John recalled one morning that I was running the lure on one occasion. ‘Biro’ sacked me and said let the old bloke do it. They were great Sunday mornings, and I think there was a fair chance Ray might have had charge of the Sandown gallops water allocation.

Brown added that Byron’s health had let him down this year.

“It’s the first time he couldn’t make it to either the Melbourne Cup or our AGM. Ray’s daughter, Sue, and her husband – fellow life member and long-time Sandown employee – Paul Curran would always bring Ray and his wife Joan along.

“I’m sure he has been to every Melbourne Cup that I’ve attended and quite a number prior to 1968. He and Joan never missed a life members’ dinner and I know how much he enjoyed his last one early this year.

“He had conversations with everyone there – in particular, Eddie Caruana (MGRA chairman) who he sat with. Eddie and I were hoping to get to see him this week, but sadly time ran out.

Ray Byron (second from right) with his former star greyhound All Promise after she won the Champion of Champions Distance Championship at Sandown Park.

Brown also has another fond memory of Byron.

“It was Ray’s 90th birthday party at his home on a Sunday afternoon; it was a great day spent with many of Ray’s ‘doggy’ mates.

“Sadly, due to COVID, we missed attending his 95th mid this year. However, most of us got to send him a video message organised by his granddaughter Katie.”

Click HERE  for funeral details and further Neil Brown tributes to Ray ‘Biro’ Byron.

Ray Byron (top row, second from left) with fellow Sandown Greyhound Racing
Club Committee members of yesteryear.

View the full article